U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) joined military commanders and local officials and community leaders today to break ground for a multi-million state-of-the-art program that will design the next generation of catapults used to launch fighter planes from aircraft carriers.

    Smith secured $20.68 million in direct federal earmarks to build the (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System) EMALS at Navy Lakehurst. The project will help improve the efficiency and safety for fighter pilots and help keep the base, which is Ocean County’s largest employer – strong during the upcoming round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

    “The EMALS project is critical to the future of our Navy and carrier fleet, and I know the top-notch team of engineers at Navy Lakehurst will do us proud as they develop a system to enhance the power-projection, capabilities, and safety on the next generation of aircraft carriers,” Smith said.

    “The project also underscores the essential role Navy Lakehurst will continue to play in national defense. Building on the impressive history of steam catapults and arresting gear, the EMALS project at Lakehurst will keep our base at the center and heart of Naval Aviation,” Smith added. 

    In total, EMALS is a $373 million Navy program to replace the current generation of steam-based catapults on aircraft carriers with new systems that utilize electromagnetic energy. 

    Once tested and proven at Lakehurst, EMALS will: (a) reduce the stress on airframes during launch, lengthening their service life and saving future procurement requirements, (b) reduce manning requirements on aircraft carriers, thereby cutting current operating costs, (c) increase aircraft sortie rates and boost carrier firepower, and (d) improve the safety and reliability of one the Navy’s most mission-critical systems aboard the aircraft carrier. 

    Recently, General Atomics won a competition to be selected as the developer of the project. The funds secured by Smith will be used to build a full-scale testing facility at Lakehurst, which will then be thoroughly tested by the team there.

    “Less than two years, we dedicated the state-of-the art ‘SuperLab’ on this very base, another significant milestone for Navy Lakehurst. On the list for closure in 1995, Lakehurst continues to demonstrate that our base is an exemplary facility for the Navy to establish and expand mission-critical projects,” Smith said.

    “With SuperLab, EMALS, and several other major initiatives, I am confident Navy Lakehurst, along with its ‘Megabase’ partners of McGuire and Fort Dix, will be in a very strong position during BRAC,” Smith said. 

    Smith has secured more than $50 million in direct federal support for the base during the past few years.